MADRID- Spain will raise most public pensions by 2.5% in 2022, boosting the average pensioner's income by around 250 euros ($281.78) a year Social Security Minister Jose Luis Escriva said on Tuesday after a cabinet meeting where the increase was approved.

The lowest public pensions will increase by 3%, he added, while inflation reached 6.5% in 2021. Overall, the pension increase will cost some 6.5 billion euros.

($1 = 0.8872 euros)

(Reporting by Inti Landauro and Emma Pinedo; Editing by Nathan Allen) ((n.allen@thomsonreuters.com; +34 617 792 131;))